Elias Salomonsson

March 2026 – Salomonsson has made the jump to the NHL this year and appears to be sticking. Through 23 games with Winnipeg he has one goal and two assists, with a steady increase in ice time that has him averaging around 20 minutes per game. That is a meaningful vote of confidence from the coaching staff. Time on both the secondary power play and penalty kill units suggests the Jets are actively trying to find out what he can give them in a full-time role. His profile draws a natural comparison to Logan Stanley, which likely made it easier for Winnipeg to move on from the veteran at the deadline. If his ice time continues to increase, we might be looking at a top-4, all situations, right-handed defender – and those are hard to find at any degree of quality in the NHL. Ryan Downey

August 2025 – Salomonsson did not disappoint last season, his inaugural season in North America. He played 53 regular-season games in the American Hockey League with the Manitoba Moose, producing 27 points (five goals and 22 assists). While it can be difficult to project and get excited for a defenseman to crack the NHL roster with the Winnipeg Jets, Salomonsson has the best chance of any of their young defensemen in 2025-26. If he does not make the Jets’ opening night roster, another season with an improved Manitoba Moose team would give him more time to develop and thrive in all situations. Ensure he is rostered; there is no reason for him to be available in any dynasty league. You will have to use patience, like most non-elite defensemen prospects, but once he can become a full-time NHL player, he will provide value in multiple categories. Mark Henry

January 2025 – Salomonsson will represent the Manitoba Moose at the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic in Palm Desert, California, on February 2-3, 2025. In his first season in North America, he played 17 games for Manitoba with three goals and nine assists for 12 points. Salomonsson had yet to return to the Moose lineup since he sustained an injury on December 6, 2024. Mark Henry

December 2024 – Salomonsson is expected to miss a couple of weeks after sustaining an upper-body injury against the Belleville Senators on Friday, December 6, 2024. In 17 games for the Manitoba Moose to start the 2024-25 season, he has three goals and nine assists for 12 points, which, before missing the Moose’s last game on Saturday, December 7, tied him for the team lead in points. Mark Henry

September 2024 – Salomonsson attended the Winnipeg Jets 2024 Development Camp on July 3-7, 2024. He will participate in the 2024 Young Stars Classic in Penticton, B.C, September 13-16, 2024. The 2024-25 season will be his first season in North America; he will be a player to watch closely at the Winnipeg JJets’2024-25 training camp and with the Manitoba Moose this season. A late-season call-up to the NHL isn’t out of the question if everything falls into place during his first season with the Manitoba Moose. Mark Henry

May 2024 – Salomonsson’s SHL team, Skellefteå AIK, won the 2023-24 Swedish Hockey League finals, defeating Rögle BK four games to one. In 16 playoff games, Salomonsson had six points (one goal and five assists). Mark Henry

March 2024 – Salomonsson finished the 2023-24 season with Skellefteå AIK in the SHL after winning a silver medal at the 2024 World Junior Championship with Sweden. Salomonsson played in 31 regular-season games with Skellefteå AIK during the 2023-24 campaign, producing 11 points (two goals and nine assists). Skellefteå AIK begins their 2024 playoffs against Linköping HC on March 22; keep an eye on Salomonsson potentially heading to North America once his 2024 playoffs conclude in the Swedish Hockey League. Mark Henry

December 2023 – The IIHF has given Salomonsson a one-game suspension for his hit from behind on Latvia’s Emils Veckatkins during Sweden’s tournament opener at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship on December 26. Due to the suspension, he will miss Sweden’s next game versus Germany on December 28. Mark Henry 

December 2023 – Salomonsson was named to Sweden’s 23-man 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship roster. His first opportunity to represent his country at the IIHF World Junior Championship will be on December 26, 2023, versus Latvia. The 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship takes place from December 26, 2023, to January 5, 2024, in Gothenburg, Sweden. Mark Henry

October 2023 – Salomonsson participated in the 2023 Young Stars Classic in Penticton, B.C., from September 15-18, 2023; he also attended the Winnipeg Jets 2023 NHL training camp before being reassigned to the Manitoba Moose on October 2, leaving speculation on whether he would stay in North America or return to Sweden. That was short-lived, as the Winnipeg Jets announced he would play for Skellefteå AIK of the SHL for the 2023-24 season on October 5. Mark Henry 

August 2023 – Salomonsson attended the Winnipeg Jets’2023 Development Camp in July; one could argue he is the most improved prospect in their system. He will play for the Skellefteå AIK team of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) in 2023-24. Mark Henry

July 2022 – The Winnipeg Jets have selected Salomonsson in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, 55th overall. Nick Richard

December 2021 – Salomonsson is another player whose draft stock has taken a bit of a hit since the season started, but he is still an exciting prospect who is having a solid season. Through his first 23 games of the season, he sits third in scoring among J20 Nationell draft-eligible defenders. A couple of weeks short of only being eligible for the 2023 draft, Salomonsson has plenty of room for growth and already possesses a solid base of skills to build around. He is of decent size and has good four-way mobility, allowing him to lead his fair share of rushes from the back end. He is a strong skater, if not overly explosive, and covers the ice well. Salomonsson shows good instincts in the offensive zone, but will need to clean up some of his decisions with the puck. That said, he processes the game at a high rate for the J20 level, and there is reason to believe his skillset will translate as he climbs the ranks. He sticks to his lanes defensively, has an excellent active stick, engages physically, and his shot is a weapon from the point. He could be a bit of a project, but Salomonsson has potential as one of the top four defensemen at the NHL level. Nick Richard